Pink Jasmine
Jasminum polyanthum

Pink Jasmine

Bright indirectModeratePet-safe
5075°FComfort range
AverageHumidity
Background

Pink jasmine is the one that perfumes a whole room in late winter — masses of pink-budded buds opening to white stars with a scent that carries. In the Northeast it is a container plant, not a garden one: it summers outdoors on a patio and comes inside before the first frost.

The trick to flowers is a cool autumn. Pink jasmine sets its buds in response to several weeks of cool nights (40–55°F) and short days, so a chilly bright porch or unheated room in autumn is what triggers the winter show — a warm living room keeps it leafy and bloomless. Give it a hoop or small trellis to twine on, keep it bright, and prune right after flowering to keep the vigorous growth in bounds.

Wants the brightest window you have, with a few hours of direct sun. Too little light and it climbs happily but never flowers.

Putting it outside for summer? See its garden profile — hardiness zones, bloom window, and when to bring it back in.
Care at a glance
LightBright indirect
WaterEvery 5–7 days in growth; let the top inch dry, then ease right off in winter
Soil mixFree-draining potting mix with added perlite or bark
HumidityAverage
Temperature50–75°F
DifficultyModerate
HabitClimbing
Mature sizeTrained on a hoop, 2–4 ft; a vigorous twiner left loose
PropagationSemi-ripe stem cuttings in summer
Watering & safety
How to water

Water thoroughly and drain — it sulks in soggy soil but wilts fast if bone dry

Drought tolerance

Low — keep to a consistent rhythm and don't let it dry out hard.

Pet & child safety

True jasmine (Jasminum) is non-toxic and pet-safe. Do not confuse it with toxic Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium).

The routine

Water when the top inch dries; cut back hard in winter

every 5–7 days in growth

Feed with a high-potash (tomato) fertiliser to push bloom

every 2 weeksGrowing season

Prune to shape right after the flowers fade — it blooms on the previous year's growth

yearly, post-bloom

Give it a cool, bright spell in autumn or it will not set buds

Check leaf undersides for spider mites and aphids in dry indoor air

Repot when roots fill the pot — slightly pot-bound plants flower better

every 2 years
Watch for
Spider MitesAphidsMealybugsScale